Quality Manager (all genders) in Space Hardware Production

THE WHY

At Blackwave, we develop and manufacture Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels and carbon fiber structures for the space industry — hardware where failure is not an option. As we scale from one site in Germany to two with our new facility in Texas, quality can't be an afterthought or a paper exercise. We're looking for a Quality Manager who builds a pragmatic, ISO 9001-compliant Quality Management System from the ground up for our Texas site, keeps our German QMS sharp, and creates a quality culture that engineers, operators, and management actually live — not one that gathers dust in a document folder.

THE WHAT

• Own ISO 9001 at both sites: Maintain certification in Germany and establish it in Texas, preparing all audits — internal, certification, and customer — together with the teams so they're passed without major findings. Blackwave Code: High Performance
• Build processes people actually use: Define and implement essential quality processes that are pragmatic and scalable enough for development, manufacturing, and management to apply confidently in daily work. Blackwave Code: Togetherness
• Make performance visible: Give leadership clear, up-to-date visibility into company performance through meaningful KPIs and management reviews that drive decisions rather than just report numbers. Blackwave Code: Candor
• Own risk end-to-end: Establish and actively maintain a company-wide risk management system covering organizational, process, and product risks — with clear ownership and follow-up on mitigations. Blackwave Code: Accountability
• Digitize quality: Establish a digital QMS platform as the mandatory system of record, with quality documentation and workflows fully migrated and adopted across the organization. Blackwave Code: Playfulness

• 3–5+ years of experience in quality management within a manufacturing environment — you've stood on a shop floor, not just in an office
• Degree in a technical field (e.g. aerospace or mechanical engineering) plus relevant further training in quality management
• Hands-on ISO 9001 experience: you've managed audit cycles and can walk us through a process you set up yourself, end to end
• Pragmatic quality mindset: you build processes for usage, not just for compliance — standards are an enabler, not bureaucracy
• Builder mentality: you create structures from scratch rather than maintaining what's already there, and you see a bit of chaos as an opportunity
• Strong ownership and communication at all levels — from C-level to operator
• Fluent English is a must; German is a plus

• Freedom to Create: Extensive decision-making freedom and short decision paths – we trust your expertise to lead your team.
• Fresh Fuel Every Day: Shared lunch breaks with freshly prepared, varied meals to keep the team energized.
• Coffee Culture @ Blackwave: Enjoy premium coffee from our portafilter machine or join one of our barista courses.
• Choose Your Perk: Select from a Deutschland-Ticket, EGYM Wellpass, or a Give Card.
• Gear up for Take-off: Receive premium Blackwave team apparel during your on boarding.
• Grow in Aerospace: Expand your professional horizons in a high-growth company at the forefront of space technology.
• Rooftop Relaxation: End your day on our spacious rooftop terrace with a panoramic view of the Alps.